Computer in Japan are they different
 

Dear All,

My girlfriend in Japan says that desktop computers are different in Japan from Australia and probably other computers. She says that the monitor is built in the computer and costs the same as a laptop but the monitor PC is less powerful. Is that right?

By the way I am going to Japan to live with her but I wouldn't have the Japanese to ask about there..

Sounds like she is talking about laptops....which are very popular because they are small and portable.

Not a laptop
 

She says its not a laptop the monitor PC (its as big a flat screen TV). She calls a laptop a Note PC by the way.

If she is saying all PC are like Macs in Japan (monitor attached) that simply isn't the case. Yes, they exist, and space saving PC/TV/Entertainment systems all in one exist, but when I go to friends houses I tend to see the monitor on the desk and PC on the floor under the desk...like I see in the US.

I live in Tokyo, and I have no idea why your girlfriend is telling you that the monitor is built into the PC in all computers in Japan (if that's what she's telling you). That is not true at all. In all the offices I have worked in here we had standard desktop PCs with a separate monitor, same as you would find in any other country, and it's the same in internet cafes.

Yes, Japanese people call laptops notebooks or note PCs.

I am also at a loss as to why she`d be saying this... Even most of the "stylish" home computers sold are normal monitor and pc.

There are a number of joined space savers - often marketed to women - so it`s possible she just doesn`t really know all that much and is thinking back on commercials or something.

No actually she is right as far as a desktop. There do combine them all into one unit. The home units are built more as entertainment media machines... and usually come with a remote. I've even seen Sony systems with the keyboard attached and folds down....


NEC has always been known for making these guys... especially the NEC lavie line.

ヨドバシ.com-NEC-パソコン-パソコン-メーカ商品一覧

Yes, they are not as upgradable as your standard desktop as far as video, memory, etc. but in general they are pretty standard.

If your short on space, grab it up. If you are a PC nerd, you know what you have to do.

I was just at an Internet cafe in Osaka a couple weeks ago, and not one of the hundreds of computers they had there fit this description.

I won't repeat what I said earlier, but this is an option, but not the standard.

I agree with MMM. They do sell the joined types, but go to an electronics store (Like Yamada, Bic, Eiden, etc - consumer electronics, not specialty) and there will still only be a handful of them mixed in.

They're popular with teachers, to leave on their desks at school (takes up less desk space) since we have to provide our own computers (unlike America, where schools usually provide every teacher with a desktop), but they're still not as popular as laptops in the office, or normal desktops at home.

I, myself, use a macbook for most things online, as well as work, and have a mac mini for use as a media server hooked up to my HDTV.

She lives in Saitama
 

Is there a electronics shop in or near Saitama City that stocks lots of standard desktops?

Urgent please as she says she has to get a computer soon- she can't share her dad's computer much longer.

There is a major shopping area at the Omiya station, they have all kinds of electronics stuff. I believe BIC or Yodobashi is also there....

I've been to Bic Camera in Kyoto last Sunday, I noticed that the new model of popular brands is currently combine of monitor and PC~ ;)

A Japanese person living in Japan is asking of forum of mostly non-Japanese not living in Japan this?

You're discounting the possibility that Japanese people using this forum just may have knowledge about the OP's question, providing the desired answer he/she is seeking.

Quite a logic leap, especially given earlier posts by people living in Japan giving the wanted information.

It seems I have done something to offend you, Koir.

It just seems to me a Japanese woman living in Saitama City would have better access to information like "where to buy a computer in Saitama City" than coming to an forum of people who mostly have never been to Japan.

A quick google search should do it, if she doesn't want to ask her father where he bought his, or a friend or coworker.

Jointed computer-monitors exist everywhere.

HP touchsmart comes to my mind, HP's TouchSmart PC featuring touch screen technology

There is no special market just for Japan, such computers sell everywhere. Japan is mostly the same as USA and the rest, however it gets certain new products before others.

The ones in the link and sold in the nice retail electronic stores are usually high-end consumer machines, not for the likes of public machines.

Far from standard I'd agree, but definitely available for consumers to purchase for a personal computer in all major retail locations.

Most Internet Cafe I've seen also support gaming, which I suppose they will need a more beefier machine that is upgradable as time goes on.

Changing the subject though, many public and private sector areas of business that needs to save space but require a terminal in front use anything; even laptops. Its funny on occasion the ticket gate entrance/exit attendant's booth terminal is a laptop. I've even seen NEC PC-9821 laptops still kicking today; i.e. if it does the job and takes up less space without cost, okay.

The all-in-one whether desktop or laptop is kind of a standard for offices with limited space.

Definitely CRT monitors are pretty much history in most of urban Japan.

Doesn't sounds like this woman is a computer person and left it up to the OP.
Actually 10 years ago this would of been a more valid question as to how different PCs are in the States and Japan. NEC used to have a grip hold on Japan because their PCs wouldn't run IBM AT based OSes because of their hardware difference (they had to have their own special flavour and applications). The old NEC systems vs. DOS/V systems war.

Yes, but seriously today most PCs all run the same stuff. Just buy one in your price range that is painted your favorite colour.

She couldn't find standard desktops
 

She said she would originally buy a laptop from her own money and we would share it but I wanted a decent external so she insisted on the combined monitor/computer and I had to pay half and couldn't find anything else I don't know why. Now she is happy to buy it- example computers are similar prices to laptop but we get it together I think.

where in Saitama ? Saitama is not that far from Akihabara or Ikebukuro.
Is she is in the Tobu Line or Seibu line, then Ikebukuro is your best option.

Or just go online store like DELL and yes majority of their computers are the standard desktops and laptops.

The computer your girlfriend mentioned is not that popular among those who are familiar with computers. Laptops and Desktops are not yet going anywhere.

** oppsss this thread was like last year.. well answer anyway just in case

That question is over 18 months old....